A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lisbon vs. Calais for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Lisbon or Calais?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Lisbon or Calais? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a stunning, picturesque, and colorful city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Lisbon and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Calais?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lisbon than Calais. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Lisbon is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. It is also well known for Castelo de São Jorge. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Lisbon different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calais and Lisbon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lisbon or Calais?

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Lisbon on the map. World renowned landmarks include St. George's Castle, Jerónimos monastery, the Belém Tower, Santa Justa Lift, and countless world class museums.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Lisbon or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Lisbon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are many local restaurants as well as food tours and cooking classes that you can enjoy. Make sure you try the local favorites like bacalhau à brás, frango no churrasco, and pastel de nata. Given the beautiful climate, outdoor seating is also popular. Head into the less touristy neighborhoods to try some local dishes or hit up a seafood market. There are also many cafes that offer great breakfasts with fresh ingredients.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Lisbon or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Lisbon is a world class party destination. It is a bustling city with a lot of energy late into the night. There are countless bars, clubs, and music venues that cater to every personality type and style. Whether you want a more relaxed vibe or a raging party, there is likely an place for you.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Lisbon or Calais Better for Music?

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Calais is not a live music destination.

In Lisbon you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The local folk music, fado, is popular here, but there are also venues that host almost any other style of music as well. You'll also find several fado museums around town.

Calais is not a live music destination.

Is Lisbon or Calais Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Lisbon and Calais are nice choices.

Lisbon is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches are often overlooked by visitors, but the coastline near the city is lined with beautiful sandy beaches that are arguably among the best in the area. If you want to get away from city life, head for the water.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Is Lisbon or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Lisbon can be explored in its historical center. The city is famous for the Alfama area, which is where you find the traditional buildings, cobblestoned streets, wandering alleyways, and steep hills. Make sure you take in the stunning view from various parts of town.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Calais?

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Lisbon is a world class destination for shoppers. For high end shopping, head to The Avenida da Liberdade. It's lined with designer brands and luxury boutiques.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Lisbon or Calais Better for Families?

Lisbon is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Lisbon is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Popular family-friendly activities include exploring Castelo Sao Jorge, visiting the aquarium, hanging out on the beach, and of course, taking the funiculars. Kids of all ages will appreciate the intricate maze of streets and lively atmosphere that this city offers. There's also the famous Livraria Lello & Irmão, which is a beautiful bookshop that is said to be an inspiration for Harry Potter. Don't expect to simply walk in, as there is often a long line to enter.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Lisbon or Calais Better for Couples?

Lisbon is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Lisbon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With it's colorful buildings and dramatic hills, this city offers a truly romantic setting for couples. There are many romantic viewpoints as well as world class restaurants that couples will enjoy.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Lisbon or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lisbon is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. Hostels are abundant, and you'll have no trouble finding other backpackers to hang out with. Many hostels even organize activities and group meals for travelers. Prices are also reasonable for a large and vibrant city.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Lisbon or Calais Better for Students?

Lisbon is well known for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Lisbon is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a lively city with a lot to see and do for international students.

Calais is not popular with students.

Is Lisbon or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Lisbon has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The metro has four lines that go around the city. There are also trams, buses, and the funiculars.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Lisbon or Calais a more walkable city?

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Lisbon on foot is easy. There are many walkable areas that aren't too hilly like Baixa, a stretch along the Tagus River, and Belém.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Lisbon Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lisbon and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lisbon than in Calais. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lisbon, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

Families should spend more time in Lisbon than Calais. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lisbon, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Lisbon than Calais. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lisbon that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lisbon than Calais if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Lisbon.

One day in Lisbon or Calais?

Lisbon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Calais. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Lisbon or Calais?

Lisbon is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Calais is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Lisbon or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lisbon. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lisbon or Calais?

Lisbon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Calais. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Lisbon and Calais, we can see that Calais is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lisbon Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Calais?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Calais, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Lisbon or Calais?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lisbon or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Lisbon during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

Lisbon is a little warmer than Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Calais. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Calais. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Calais. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Lisbon is much warmer than Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisbon in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Calais during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Calais. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lisbon or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Calais. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Lisbon is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 12°C (53°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Calais. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Lisbon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Lisbon is much warmer than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Calais during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Calais. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Lisbon